Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz has a striking red coat and is the national dog of Finland. The fox-like Finnish Spitz is part of the hound group.

Finnish Spitz Breed Group

Hound

Size of the Finnish Spitz

Medium

Colour Varieties of the Finnish Spitz

The breed comes in just 2 colours that include:

Red

Red Gold

Country of Origin

Finland

The Finnish Spitz’s uses through History

The Finnish Spitz was specifically bred to hunt birds, small game, vermin and even bears by ‘bark pointing’ to indicate the position of its prey.

Finnish Spitz introduction and overview

The Finnish Spitz was bred from Russian Spitz type dogs to create the dog we know today. This fox-like dog is also known as the Finnish Hunting dog or the Finnish Spets.

Size and weight of the Finnish Spitz

Height bitch 38-51cms

Height dog 38-51cms

Weight (kilos) bitch 14-16kgs

Weight (kilos) dog 14-16kgs

Exercise requirements of the Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz requires at least an hour of exercise daily. This thick coated dog does struggle in hot weather.

Finnish Spitz temperament, socialisation with children, other dogs and other pets

The Finnish Spitz is a lively, alert and friendly dog. It does need training from an early age,as it can try and compete for dominance over its owner, which can result in unwanted behaviour and over protectiveness. It is wary of strangers, and can show aggression with other dogs. It is not compatible with other smaller family pets due to its inherited hunting nature, but may accept cats if socialised well from an early age.

It is generally good with children, but owners should be aware of the protective nature of the breed and always supervise children around dogs. The Finnish Spitz is quite a vocal dog, which many owners may find difficult.

Is the Finnish Spitz a good dog for a first time dog owner?

No.The Finnish Spitz is ideally suited to an experienced handler with a good understanding of this unique and fascinating dog.

Finnish Spitz coat length

Medium length. The thick coat stands away from the body, and the tail has longer hair and gently curls over the back. Males have a thicker ruff around the shoulders.

Grooming requirements of the Finnish Spitz

High. Like all Artic dogs, the Finnish Spitz has a self cleaning coat, making grooming after walking in wet and muddy conditions much easier. The bred does shed heavily throughout the year and dead fur should be brushed away gently with a soft slicker brush. The Spitz prefers cooler conditions and does struggle with the heat in the summer months.

Hypoallergenic?

No. This breed sheds throughout the year making it an unsuitable choice for allergy sufferers.

Health Issues in the Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz is a hardy and healthy dog, but the following known health issues have been noted in the breed and prospective new owners should consult their breeder:

Epilepsy

Elbow Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia

Luxating patellas

As with all pedigree dogs, it is very important to obtain a puppy from a reputable source where you can be guaranteed that it has been bred with a view to avoiding the inherent physical and psychological diseases of the breed.

Average lifespan of the Finnish Spitz

A healthy Finnish Spitz should expect to enjoy a life expectancy of between 12-15 years.

Approximate Finnish Spitz pedigree puppy price

No current puppy price is available as litters remain quite rare. In fact, there were only 14 puppies registered with the Kennel Club in 2015. Register your interest with an assured breeder so they can inform you of upcoming litters. There are generally around 4-6 puppies in an average litter.